We have failed orang asli

A CANDIDATE’S statement in the Cameron Highlands by-election that the Malay community would not even buy kuih from the orang asli, let alone vote for an orang asli candidate is tactless and distasteful, and shows how our society has unequivocally failed them.

That a significant percentage of mainstream society would not vote for an orang asli candidate is not a sign that the candidate is unqualified or incapable, but that we as a society have systemically marginalised the orang asli.

A politician’s threat to stop the payment of stipends shows how the government has denied the orang asli self-determination and self-sufficiency and offered them handouts.

It is a sign that protectionist laws, policies and government agencies have disenfranchised the orang asli and given them welfare in place of rights.

Land and property laws and policies have demoted the orang asli from the position of guardians of their customary land to squatters who can be evicted by property developers and state governments and displaced at the convenience of the authorities.

Our orang asli need representation, the right to be heard and the right to control their own destiny.

What orang asli communities need are representatives in Parliament, government agencies and non-governmental organisations who can advocate for their communities and make decisions without fear or favour.

Fielding and voting in more orang asli candidates would create opportunities for the communities to participate in decisions that would affect their lives.

If there was adequate representation and autonomy, they would not have to resort to measures such as blockades and petitions just to get their voices heard.

Fielding just one orang asli candidate does not make us an inclusive and diverse society any more than giving handouts to Tok Batins make us caring and compassionate.

The fact that we are not fielding more orang asli candidates is an indication that we as a society have been deaf and blind to their rights, needs and concerns for too long.

The first step to recognising the rights of the orang asli is to prioritise their control over native customary land, and include and consult them in any discussions on land use and education processes and policies that affect them.

Until we have more orang asli voices in positions of leadership, the fielding of token candidates by political parties and coalitions amount to nothing more than insincere and empty gestures.

WONG EE LYNN

Petaling Jaya